Rijksmuseum
The Rijksmuseum (which in English translates to ‘The State Museum’) is probably included in every Amsterdam museum guide and rightfully so. It is the largest museum of the Netherlands and it possesses an unrivaled collection of Dutch (and world) art. Alongside masterpieces like Rembrandt’s “Night watch”, several breathtaking paintings by Vermeer, van Dyck and Jan Steen, the museum has a truly exceptional collection of Asian art, a rich accumulation of items of the Dutch material culture dating back to the 17th century, as well as a vast collection of prints, drawings and classic photography.
Opening Times: Every day from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m
Location: Stadhouderskade 42, The museum quarter
More information: www.rijksmuseum.nl
Tip: Since 2003, the Rijksmuseum is being rebuilt, as its impressive collection outgrew the 19th century building that houses the museum. The reconstruction is expected to end in winter of 2012/2013.
Still, however, it is possible to see part of the museum’s collection. A smaller exhibition called “The Masterpieces” can be found at the Philips Wing of the Museum (renovated in 1996). Although much smaller than the usual Rijksmuseum show, the exhibition presents all of the most important paintings from the museum’s collection, so it is definitely worth visiting.
Van Gogh Museum
A visit to Amsterdam would not be complete without a walk through the Van Gogh museum. Perhaps not surprisingly, it contains the largest collection of Van Gogh’s paintings in the world, with about 200 paintings and 550 sketches showing Van Gogh in all his moods. The museum’s exhibition is organized chronologically into five periods, each representing a different phase of Van Gogh’s life and work: The Netherlands, Paris, Arles, Saint-Remy and Auvers-sur-Oise. Hundreds of letters by Van Gogh to his brother Theo, and selected works by the artist’s friends and contemporaries allow visitors to keep track of the artist's developments, and even compare his paintings to works by other artists from the 19th century.
Opening Times: Every day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m
Location: Paulus Potterstraat 7, The museum quarter
More information: www.vangoghmuseum.nl
Tip: Like most of the major museums in Amsterdam, the Van Gogh museum will be going through a period of renovations. As a result, it will not be accepting visitors for a six-month period from October 2012 till March 2013.
Stedelijk Museum
The Stedelijk Museum (which in English translates to ‘The Municipal Museum’) houses the municipal collection of modern art, with a wonderful collection of innovative, modern pieces created by the most famous 20th century artists. Along with all the big names of modern painting movements, such as Impressionists, Fauvism, Cubism, and Expressionism, the Stedelijk has a unique collection of 29 paintings by Casimir Malevich, a marvelous collection of De Stijl and Cobra movement, a superb Dutch photography collection, as well as a very good collection of design and furniture. Last but not least, the Stedelijk presents an interesting collection of European and American trends in art since the 1950s with works of Matisse, Picasso, Newman en Rauschenberg, Warhol completed with Italian Arte Povera and German modern painting.
Opening Times: Tuesdays – Sundays from 10 am to 6 pm. Thursdays from 10 am to 10 pm
Location: Museumplein 10, The museum quarter
More information: www.stedelijk.nl
Tip: The Stedelijk is currently closed for renovations. Until the museum officially re-opens in early 2012, temporary modern art exhibitions are held in most of the museum’s rooms. The temporary Stedelijk is accessible through Paulus Potterstraat 13.
Scheepvaart Museum
The National Maritime Museum is a lively and colorful multimedia museum, which impresses visitors not only by its collection, but also with the way it is presented. Housed in a recently renovated 17th century building, the museum’s stunning collection of navigational instruments and other marine artifacts also incorporates a replica of the historical sailing ship, Batavia, which stands right outside the museum on the waters of the Ij Bay. The National Maritime Museum will take you on a unique journey to discover the maritime past and present of the Netherlands, and it can be particularly fun to visit if you are travelling with kids.
Opening Times: Every day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m
Location: Kattenburgerplein 1 (near the city harbor)
More information: www.hetscheepvaartmuseum.nl
Tip: The museum’s interactive exhibitions are available in both Dutch and English, so foreigners and locals alike can enjoy all the museum has to offer. Also, bear in mind that you must keep your ticket to enter different parts of the museum.
Ann Frank House
This museum takes its visitors on a truly emotional journey, as the Anne Frank House is the hiding place where Anne Frank wrote her famous diary during World War II. Although the rooms in the house are now empty, they are still emotionally charged. For more than two years Anne Frank lived in the annex of the building in Prinsengracht 263 along with her family, the Van Pels family and Fritz Pfeffer. On August 4, 1944, the hiding place was betrayed and the people in hiding were deported to various concentration camps. Only Anne’s Father, Otto survived the war.
While the visitors walk through the house, quotations from the diary (which is also on display), a series of historical documents, photographs, film images, and original objects that belonged to those in hiding illustrate the events that took place here.
Opening Times: March 15 to September 14: from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm (till 10pm on Saturdays)
July and August: from 9:00 am to 10:00 pm.
September 15 to March 14: from 9:00 till 7:00pm.
Location: Prinsengracht 267, Jordaan quarter
More information: www.annefrank.org
Tip: Although all popular Amsterdam museums have long queues the one at the Anne Frank House can be particularly discouraging, as a limited number of people are allowed in the house at a time. So, buy your tickets online in advance; it will cost the same and it will help you avoid the long wait. Also, you may consider visiting the Anne Frank House later in the day, when it is quieter.
Photo courtesy of Anne Frank House
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